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Remember when the Stanza became the Stanza/Altima? They later dropped the first half. That particular model was a success, 1994 IIRC.
-juice
“Our strategy during the launch of our first full-size SUV was to capitalize on our popular mid-size Pathfinder’s rich off-road heritage by associating the Pathfinder name with both vehicles. For example, our launch broadcast advertising showed both vehicles driving in adventure settings together,” said Fred Suckow, director, marketing, Nissan Division. “Now, however, we’re finding strong consumer acceptance of Armada on its own merits, which also allows us to focus the Pathfinder message on building awareness of our mid-size SUV as we get closer to the launch of the next generation Pathfinder as a 2005 model.”
Makes sense. I do remember the Stanza/Altima situation. And it seemed quite successful also. Maybe Nissan contemplated on dropping the mid-size Pathfinder at one point?
thanks
If posts die off to nothing over the next week, we can call Nissan and tell them to stick to their original game plan.
Steve, Host
Really DUMB marketing Nissan!!!
Bob
/WebX?ed_displayMakeRelatedDiscus- sions@@.ef14c39!make=Nissan&tid=edmund- s.t.townhall.browsebymake..0.*
Bob
Bob
Yes it fits in a standard garage although it may take up much of it depending on the garage and stuff in it! I drove the test ride home just to see if it would fit in mine which is smaller than the last garage I had and although tight it still fit without having to close a mirror.
Do I have to get the LE to get memory seats? I will be driving it about half the time and my wife half the time. It seems like the LE is necessary...
- 7" flip-down TFT LCD. It is kind of small for such a large behemoth. I reckon a 10+" would be more proper for 3rd row people to watch. However, with the factory ceiling center console running front to back, I wonder how they would install after-market ones.
- Yes, the DVD player is located inside the center console between the front seats.
- PFA is 206" long, compared with a Honda Odyssey at 201". It is only 5" longer. My garage has at least 20" room with Odyssey. I can still open the rear gate without touching the garage door. However, my garage was considered larger than average here. Do measure the garage before you buy the house, of course. It also depends on the type of garage doors (some may touch the rear roof of PFA if it is one-piece door).
Also, I think rparnell is right on the money about the problem being more than the roof panel. I don't know and I wish all of you luck.
Hopefully this discussion will still show up when someone clicks on the Pathfinder Armada option on your linked page... at least that's the way it's supposed to work :-).
The name change here doesn't seem to have had a negative affect.
Steve, Host
I have had an LS400 and a saab, and both have been incredibly reliable with no repairs for YEARS and have never left me stranded. I am worried that the armada will not be like the first year MLs or any ford...
The safe bet is the sequoia..but I just hate to get something in the last model year.
Otherwise, I really like the thing. Yes, the interior smacks of 'rubbermaid' and is somewhat bland...but the performance more than makes up for things like that. The kids really like the room in the back, and it really doesn't drive like I thought a 2.5 ton truck would. Anyway...good luck with your decision.
(now how badly did I need to wash it) but I have found that it is a trait of all vehicles with this. I was real hot on getting a Sequoia because I wasn't sure about the styling of the Nissan, but after driving both there was no option for me BUT the Nissan. It's just a world better behind the wheel, where it really counts.
This was my first non domestic truck, and I do not regret my decision one bit. Good luck with any decision you make!
anyone know the dates of the Chicago Auto show... I'm thinking of taking a run down there?
Towed my boat to the Nissan dealership today to try out the Armada. The Armada clearly has more power and accelerates much better than the Sequoia with the boat in tow. Braking was better with the Armada also. The Armada definitely had more authority when trying to stop than the Sequoia (no trailer brakes during test but I'm having them installed before my long range tows). However, I didn't notice much difference between the two vehicles once I was up to speed on the interstate. I could really sense the weight of the trailer with both vehicles. I was wishing that I was towing with something that had a little more authority.
For this reason, I'm planning on trying a Suburban but I have doubts about reliability. My last 3 vehicles have been Toyotas and they've all been very reliable.
I only drive about 12,000 miles per year and most of that is road trips (ride my bike to work). So basically I'm looking for a road trip vehicle with good towing capacity and room for 5 plus gear.
Another problem that I have with the Armada is the relatively small amount of cargo space behind the 3rd seat and the fact that the third seat does not split for folding. Putting three kids in the 2nd row on a road trip in order to accommodate gear is not a good option. Also, I think the Sequoia is a smoother and more refined vehicle than the Armada when not towing (I've driven the Armada without a boat in tow also).
Overall, I was not as impressed with the Armada as I thought I would be. The Suburban sounds like a great vehicle for my needs as far as towing capacity and space. Reliability???
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Has anyone experienced a warning, and if so does the display show which tire is low?
Does it get your attention by a visual alert only, or also by a warning sound? Where is the visual alert?
How would you rate the system overall? Thanks.
As far as the tire pressure monitoring system question goes, if it's a limited service spare then it definetly does not have a monitor.
I doubt that the spare would include one even if it was a full service tire, which if you think about it is kind of poor engineering or product planning.
How do you handle five tire rotations?
It would certainly be a PITA to have to remove and reinstall two tires everytime you rotated just to get the sensor moved from one wheel to the other!
Wonder what another sensor would cost?
I'm divided between another 2500 Sub or the Armada. Lack of storage kills me on the Armada. Bottom line though is I just like the thing. I'm almost certain it's what I'll end up getting.
Reliability is a given that the Sub won't be as good. Expect to have several things go wrong by 100k miles. However with your driving needs it will take a long time for you to worry about that. Plus you can get an extended warranty. Good luck with whatever you decide on. If you go Armada please keep the board updated on the towing.
I'm buying an Armada soon because I also have hi towing needs but refuse to buy another GM. I have a 99 tahoe and have had way too many unreasonable repairs (too often and too $). Everybody has a different tolerance for this, but GM exceeded mine. My purchase decision came down to the Durango Hemi, the Expedition, or the Armada. Neither the Dodge nor the Expedition excited me from a styling standpoint and I will be buying an Armada in the next few weeks (searching for one equipped to my taste now).
I am seriously considering getting an Armada. However, I am trying to do more research (like on the resonance issue). This is by far the best information resource I have found so far, but I was wondering what other websites & boards exist that have a significant amount of information and discussion? I have been unable to find anything useful other than this discussion thread. Any leads appreciated.
Now if you got the buck get the NAV system and then each individual tire will show the pressure. Spare is not included in either version.
When it comes to towing big things (5000 lbs plus) as far as suv's go, the Suburban IS the best bet. Before people start smacking me, let me tell you why. It has the longest wheelbase and most weight (other than an Excursion, and if your'e gonna go that route, might as well get a Dodge duallie with a hemi and get it over with)weight is very important when it comes to towing things on the highway, trailer brakes or not. Of course a 2500 would be better over a 1/2 ton, but if you plan on saving your back for retirement, I wouldn't reccomend one, especially for an everyday vehicle. NOW, Why I'm against a suburban...reliability. If you have had three Toyotas and are going to move to a GM product, you are in for all kinds of misery. My last "good" Suburban was a 95, I took it to 200k, I have had three GM trucks since, the last one only went 6000 miles with me before I couldn't take it anymore. I grew up with GM (people are probably getting sick of my rant by now)and never thought I would own a foreign truck. GM and their declining reliability have driven me to tears, and now I own an Armada. My advice to you, get a sway control setup if you do not have one already. They are not required for something like what you tow, but trust me, it will make it feel like you are towing a 500 pound trailer. WELL worth the investment. Okay, I'm getting off my crate now- Good luck with your decision!
I do drive a 2500 as a daily vehicle. Have for 8 years. If you don't mind feeling every 1/4" hole or 1" rock you won't mind it a bit. Although the newer Subs should be better riding. Having said that I found in my test drive the Armada wasn't all that much better. Will have to do it again in a different one next time. Still prefer the Armada by a long shot. I'm going to wait until the 05 comes out in the fall before I buy. Besides a new boat has priority right now.
Steve, Host
Any recommendations on good sway control systems? Draw-Tite seemed pretty good from my research so far. Is it critical to match the tongue weight of the trailer to the recommended tongue weight of the system (i.e. is it a problem to get a system that exceeds the tongue weight of the trailer?)
- direct system: rim-mounted sensors(MEMS) that transmit signal to central mounted unit that talks to the computer (therefore display in dash or NAVI-system). The system cost about $66 for manufacturers. Not sure if one is included in the full-size spare that Armada has. But Nissan is using Schrader Electronics of North Ireland. Again, not sure if Armada is an exception. Guess not.
PROS: it detects exactly which tires is under-inflated. Less false alarm. Even in stationary.
CONS: pricy ($66). Rotation problem. Need to make sure the guy who rotates dismount your tires know you have TPMS on the rim. Otherwise, it gets damaged during dismounting.
- indirect system: employ ABS sensors to detect rotating speed difference among tires. It is cheaper ($13) if the cars already has ABS sensors on board.
PROS: no rotation problem. No mounting/dismounting problem. No spare tire trouble. Cheaper.
CONS: more false alarm. Cannot detect multiple under-inflation (same axisle). Must detect when cars are in motion.
There are more and more direct systems employed as consumers would request to know exactly which tire is under-inflated.
One new advancement for direct system is that a new system (forgot which company) uses four antenna, one near each wheel. As usual, inside each wheel, there is a sensor that communicates to the nearest antenna. All four antenna are connect to a central unit. By doing do, rotation is no longer an issue since a new wheel can talk to the nearest sensor, and virtually identify itself to the central unit. In contrast, an older system has sensors directly broadcast to the central unit with designated signature. Therefore, rotation is an issue.
This is a summary of what I read. Welcome any corrections if I am wrong here.
Personally I wouldn't get the Armada IF I had my old boat. I'd prefer to have everything heavy duty on the tow rig. Say what you want about GM reliability but the old 454, trannie and 4.10 did a heck of a job towing.
1) How do the tire pressure monitors work? Can you get them on aftermarket wheels?
2) If I have the factory wheels chrome plated would the monitors have to be removed and re-installed?
3) Any problems with chrome plated aluminum when exposed to salt water?
4) Is the spare wheel identical to others, and does it have the pressure monitor?